Nice view? Off-street parking? That'll cost you

Home owners face paying more council tax simply for enjoying nice views or having a patio or off-street parking.

Officials have secretly assessed more than 11million homes for 'desirable features' as Labour prepares for a revaluation of council tax after a General Election. Ministers admit the Valuation Office Agency is building a huge database of all 23million homes in England.

Critics say the checklist used by inspectors is a manual for bumping up tax on middle-class households by hundreds of pounds a year.

The Tories said last night that documents released under the Freedom of Information Act show in new and alarming detail how residents of good neighbourhoods will be hit hardest.

Home owners with views of any kind, patios, conservatories - even a bus stop nearby - could face rises of up to £600 a year.

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